U.S. patent application number 12/290763 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for paper supply mechanism and roll paper printer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation. Invention is credited to Masahiko Yamada.
Application Number | 20090114758 12/290763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40380131 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090114758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamada; Masahiko |
May 7, 2009 |
Paper supply mechanism and roll paper printer
Abstract
A paper supply mechanism comprising a roll paper compartment for
storing roll paper, a first side wall that can move and defines one
side of the roll paper compartment, a second side wall that defines
the other side of the roll paper compartment, a lock mechanism that
locks the first side wall, a roll paper urging member that urges
the roll paper in a storage width direction of the roll paper
compartment; and a holding mechanism that operates in conjunction
with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper urging member in a
predetermined position.
Inventors: |
Yamada; Masahiko;
(Nagano-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Assignee: |
Seiko Epson Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40380131 |
Appl. No.: |
12/290763 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/566 ;
226/196.1; 242/578.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 15/042 20130101;
B65H 2403/411 20130101; B65H 19/12 20130101; B65H 23/08 20130101;
B41J 11/0025 20130101; B65H 2511/12 20130101; B65H 2801/12
20130101; B65H 2301/41374 20130101; B65H 2511/12 20130101; B65H
2220/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/566 ;
242/578.3; 226/196.1 |
International
Class: |
B41J 15/04 20060101
B41J015/04; B65H 16/10 20060101 B65H016/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 5, 2007 |
JP |
2007-287009 |
Claims
1. A paper supply mechanism comprising: a roll paper compartment
for storing roll paper; a first side wall that can move and defines
one side of the roll paper compartment; a second side wall that
defines the other side of the roll paper compartment; a lock
mechanism that locks the first side wall; a roll paper urging
member that urges the roll paper in a storage width direction of
the roll paper compartment; and a holding mechanism that operates
in conjunction with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper
urging member in a predetermined position.
2. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 1, wherein: the
lock mechanism comprises a lock lever that moves between a locked
position locking the lock mechanism and an unlocked position where
the lock mechanism is released; wherein the roll paper urging
member moves between a protruding position where it protrudes a
predetermined distance from the first side wall, and a retracted
position where it is retracted a predetermined amount; and the
holding mechanism holds the roll paper urging member in a position
between the protruding position and the retracted position in
conjunction with the lock lever moving to the unlocked
position.
3. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 2, wherein: the
holding mechanism comprises a lever-side engaging part formed on
the lock lever, and an urging member-side engaging part disposed to
the roll paper urging member, and when the lock lever moves to the
unlocked position, the lever-side engaging part engages the urging
member-side engaging part and holds the roll paper urging member in
the position between the protruding position and the retracted
position.
4. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 2, wherein: the
position of the roll paper urging member 46 in a neutral position
located is substantially centered between the protruding position
46A and the retracted position 46B.
5. The paper supply mechanism described in any of claim 1, wherein:
the second side wall is movable, and has a linkage mechanism that
can move the second side wall in the opposite direction as the
first side wall in conjunction with movement of the first side
wall.
6. The paper supply mechanism described in any of claim 1, further
comprising: a delivery roller that touches the outside of the roll
paper stored in the roll paper compartment, and causes the roll
paper to rotate in the feed direction; wherein the delivery roller
includes a roller shaft disposed widthwise to the roll paper
compartment, and a roller body attached to the roller shaft so that
the roller body can slide a predetermined distance widthwise to the
roll paper compartment.
7. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 6, wherein:
movement of the roll paper urging member widthwise to the roll
paper compartment and the sliding distance of the roller body are
substantially equal.
8. A roll paper printer having a paper supply mechanism, the paper
supply mechanism comprising: a roll paper compartment for storing
roll paper; a first side wall that can move and defines one side of
the roll paper compartment; a second side wall that defines the
other side of the roll paper compartment; a lock mechanism that
locks the first side wall; a roll paper urging member that urges
the roll paper in a storage width direction of the roll paper
compartment; and a holding mechanism that operates in conjunction
with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper urging member in a
predetermined position.
9. The roll paper printer described in claim 8, wherein: lock
mechanism comprises a lock lever that moves between a locked
position locking the lock mechanism and an unlocked position where
the lock mechanism is released; wherein the roll paper urging
member moves between a protruding position where it protrudes a
predetermined distance from the first side wall, and a retracted
position where it is retracted a predetermined amount; and the
holding mechanism holds the roll paper urging member in a position
between the protruding position and the retracted position in
conjunction with the lock lever moving to the unlocked
position.
10. The roll paper printer described in claim 9, wherein: the
holding mechanism comprises a lever-side engaging part formed on
the lock lever, and an urging member-side engaging part disposed to
the roll paper urging member, and when the lock lever moves to the
unlocked position, the lever-side engaging part engages the urging
member-side engaging part and holds the roll paper urging member in
the position between the protruding position and the retracted
position.
11. The roll paper printer described in claim 9 or 10, wherein: the
position of the roll paper urging member 46 in a neutral position
located is substantially centered between the protruding position
46A and the retracted position 46B.
12. The roll paper printer described in any of claim 8, wherein:
the second side wall is movable, and has a linkage mechanism that
can move the second side wall in the opposite direction as the
first side wall in conjunction with movement of the first side
wall.
13. The roll paper printer described in any of claim 8, further
comprising: a delivery roller that touches the outside of the roll
paper stored in the roll paper compartment, and causes the roll
paper to rotate in the feed direction; wherein the delivery roller
includes a roller shaft disposed widthwise to the roll paper
compartment, and a roller body attached to the roller shaft so that
the roller body can slide a predetermined distance widthwise to the
roll paper compartment.
14. The roll paper printer described in claim 13, wherein: movement
of the roll paper urging member widthwise to the roll paper
compartment and the sliding distance of the roller body are
substantially equal.
15. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 6, further
comprising: a slide cylinder attached to the roller shaft, the
slide cylinder being slidable along an axial direction of the
roller shaft; left and right snap rings and that determine the
sliding range of the slide cylinder; and a rubber roller body that
concentrically surrounds an outside of the slide cylinder.
16. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 15, wherein the
slide cylinder is also constantly urged toward the first side wall
by a spring member.
17. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 3, wherein: when
the lock lever is set to the unlocked position so that the first
side wall can move, the roll paper urging member is fixed to the
first side wall, so that the first side wall can be moved to shift
the roll paper to the second side wall side without being affected
by the urging force of the roll paper urging member, the first side
wall and second side wall can be adjusted substantially to the
width of the roll paper, and the lock lever can then be set to the
locked position to lock the first side wall.
18. The paper supply mechanism described in claim 3, wherein: when
there is a gap between the roll paper and the first side wall, the
roll paper urging member protrudes from a neutral position toward
the protruding position side and is pressed with predetermined side
pressure against an end of the roll paper, thus holding the roll
paper with no gap therebetween; and when the roll paper pushes
against the roll paper urging member, the roll paper urging member
is pushed to the retracted position away from the neutral position
by the end of the roll paper so that the roll paper is held with a
predetermined side pressure against the roll paper urging member.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-287009 filed on Nov. 5,
2007, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a paper supply mechanism
that has a roll paper compartment for storing roll paper and
supplies continuous printer paper from the roll paper compartment
to the printing unit of a printer. The invention relates more
particularly to a paper supply mechanism that enables the changing
of the storage width of the roll paper compartment according to the
paper width of the stored roll paper.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Roll paper printers used for issuing receipts, for example,
use paper rolls having continuous printer paper wound into a roll
as the recording medium. One type of roll paper supply mechanism
used in such roll paper printers commonly uses a drop-in type roll
paper compartment into which the paper supply roll is loaded from
above and which allows the paper roll to rotate freely. Japanese
Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2006-44900 teaches a roll paper
supply mechanism of this type that enables adjusting of the paper
storage width by moving the left and right side walls that
determine the storage width of the roll paper compartment.
[0006] With a drop-in type roll paper compartment, the inertial
load of the roll paper and the friction between the roll paper and
the bottom of the roll paper compartment must be overcome in order
to make the roll paper roll deliver the paper from the roll paper
compartment. The roll paper is fed by driving a paper feed roller
disposed in the paper transportation path. The paper transportation
load on the paper feed rollers increases as the paper speed
increases, and can cause slippage between the paper feed roller and
the paper, and which reduces paper transportation precision. To
reduce the paper transportation load and enable conveying the paper
precisely, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2007-203563
teaches a roll paper supply mechanism disposed to the bottom of the
roll paper compartment that has a delivery roller for causing the
roll paper to turn in the feed direction.
[0007] In the roll paper supply mechanisms of the related art
described above, the side walls of the roll paper compartment can
move. The side walls of the roll paper compartment are manually
moved to positions corresponding to the paper width of the stored
paper roll to adjust the storage width. However, because there are
deviations in roll paper width and the roll paper supply mechanism,
the storage width must be adjusted to accommodate these
deviations.
[0008] If the storage width is too narrow after being adjusted, the
side walls will push forcefully against the ends of the roll paper.
This results in an excessive paper transportation load acting on
the paper feed roller of the roll paper printer, for example, and
therefore requires even greater force to deliver the printing paper
from the paper roll.
[0009] However, if the storage width is too wide after being
adjusted, the roll paper can shift side to side inside the roll
paper compartment, which can result in the roll paper meandering or
becoming skewed as it is delivered into the paper transportation
path.
[0010] When a delivery roller is disposed in the roll paper
compartment, the delivery roller is generally made from rubber or
other material with a high coefficient of friction. In order to
move the roll paper sideways (that is, along the width of the roll
paper compartment) while in contact with the delivery roller while
also moving the side walls, the roll paper must be pushed with
enough force to overcome the friction between the roll paper and
other parts when the paper roll is placed in the roll paper
compartment and the side walls are then moved to adjust the
width.
[0011] In addition, when the roll paper is on the delivery roller
and the roll paper is shifted to one side, side pressure from
friction with the delivery roller when the roll moves acts in
addition to the side pressure from the side walls of the roll paper
compartment, and the paper transportation load required to feed
printing paper from the paper roll becomes excessive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A roll paper supply mechanism according to the at least one
embodiment of invention enables adjusting the storage width so that
the roll paper can be stored with suitable side pressure even when
there is deviation in the width of the roll paper.
[0013] A roll paper supply mechanism according to another aspect of
at least one embodiment of the invention enables adjustment of the
storage width so that the roll paper can be stored with suitable
side pressure even when a delivery roller is used.
[0014] A roll paper supply mechanism according to a first aspect of
at least one embodiment of the invention has a roll paper
compartment for storing roll paper, a first side wall that can move
and defines one side of the roll paper compartment, a second side
wall that defines the other side of the roll paper compartment, a
lock mechanism that locks the first side wall, a roll paper urging
member that urges the roll paper widthwise to the roll paper
compartment, and a holding mechanism that operates in conjunction
with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper urging member in a
predetermined position.
[0015] Preferably, the roll paper supply mechanism also has a lock
lever that moves between a locked position locking the lock
mechanism and an unlocked position in which the lock is released.
The roll paper urging member moves between a protruding position in
which it protrudes a predetermined distance from the first side
wall and a retracted position in which it is retracted a
predetermined amount, and the holding mechanism holds the roll
paper urging member in a position between the protruding position
and the retracted position in conjunction with the lock lever
moving to the unlocked position.
[0016] When roll paper of a different paper width than the roll
paper currently used, for example, is loaded into the roll paper
supply mechanism according to the at least one embodiment of
invention, the lock lever is moved to the unlocked position so that
the first side wall can be moved. The first side wall is then moved
to a storage width position corresponding to the paper width of the
roll paper to be stored. The lock lever is then operated again and
returned to the locked position to hold the first side wall
stationary.
[0017] When the lock lever moves to the unlocked position in this
storage width adjustment operation, the holding mechanism holds the
roll paper urging member at a position retracted from the
protruding position to the retracted position side. The roll paper
is thus not affected by the urging of the roll paper urging member,
and the operator can move the first side wall until it stops at a
position substantially matching the paper width. If the urging
force of the roll paper urging member acts at this time, the
operator might think that the first side wall met the stop because
of this urging force, and may stop the first side wall at the wrong
paper width position.
[0018] If the lock lever is returned to the locked position after
moving the first side wall, the first side wall is held, and the
roll paper urging member released by the holding mechanism and the
roll paper urging member returns to being urged to the protruding
position.
[0019] Even if the first side wall is moved and the roll paper is
positioned, deviations in the roll paper supply mechanism and
slippage [slippage of what?] when the operator returns the lock
lever may produce a slight gap between the roll paper and the first
side wall or second side wall, and the roll paper can shift
sideways. There may also be variations in the paper width of the
roll paper. However, the roll paper urging member of the at least
one embodiment of invention pushes the roll paper to one side wall
with appropriate force in such situations to eliminate any such
play after the roll paper positioned.
[0020] Furthermore, because the edge of the roll paper can be
aligned to one side wall, problems caused by the roll paper
shifting sideways or the paper meandering or becoming skewed when
the roll paper is conveyed can be prevented.
[0021] If the range of roll paper urging member movement is set
slightly greater than the deviation in the paper width of the roll
paper or variations in the roll paper supply mechanism, the roll
paper urging member can constantly apply suitable side pressure in
the storage width direction even if there is variation in the paper
width of the stored roll paper.
[0022] Further preferably, the holding mechanism has a lever-side
engaging part formed on the lock lever, and an urging member-side
engaging part disposed to the roll paper urging member. When the
lock lever moves to the unlocked position, the lever-side engaging
part engages the urging member-side engaging part and holds the
roll paper urging member in the position between the protruding
position and the retracted position.
[0023] By using such a linkage mechanism, a separate member is not
needed to hold the roll paper urging member in the position between
the protruding position and the retracted position.
[0024] Yet further preferably, the position between the protruding
position and the retracted position is substantially centered
between the protruding position and the retracted position..sup.1
This configuration accommodates variation in the paper width of the
roll paper whether the paper is narrower or wider.
[0025] The second side wall may also be movable. In this
configuration, a linkage mechanism moves the second side wall in
the opposite direction as the first side wall in conjunction with
movement of the first side wall. This configuration can move the
second side wall the same distance as the first side wall in the
opposite direction. .sup.1 This paragraph does not make sense and
should be amended. I amended claims 4 and 11 to try to clear up
this language
[0026] Yet further preferably, the roll paper supply mechanism also
has a delivery roller that touches the outside of the roll paper
stored in the roll paper compartment, and causes the roll paper to
rotate in the feed direction. The delivery roller includes a roller
shaft disposed widthwise to the roll paper compartment, and a
roller body attached to the roller shaft so that the roller body
can slide a predetermined distance widthwise to the roll paper
compartment.
[0027] When the roll paper is on the delivery roller and the first
side wall is moved to adjust the storage width, the roll paper
moves while rubbing against the delivery roller. Force sufficient
to overcome the friction between the delivery roller and roll paper
must therefore be applied to the first side wall to move the roll
paper to the other second side wall in order to store the roll
paper with no sideways play. This applies a high side pressure to
the roll paper.
[0028] However, because the roller body in this aspect of the
invention can slide widthwise relative to the roll paper
compartment, the roller body slides together with the roll paper
when the roll paper is moved widthwise to the roll paper
compartment. The roll paper can therefore be easily moved widthwise
to the roll paper compartment.
[0029] In another aspect of the invention the sliding distance of
the roller body is substantially equal to the distance the roll
paper urging member moves widthwise relative to the roll paper
compartment.
[0030] Another aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention
is a roll paper printer having the roll paper supply mechanism
described above. This avoids problems caused by an increased paper
transportation load as well as meandering and skewing of the
printing position when roll paper of a different paper width is
loaded. Furthermore, because the printing position can be conveyed
more accurately, a drop in print quality caused by deficient roll
paper transportation in the roll paper printer can also be
prevented.
[0031] When the first side wall of a roll paper supply mechanism
according to the at least one embodiment of invention is moved in
the storage width direction in order to adjust the paper storage
width of the roll paper compartment, a roll paper urging member
disposed to the first side wall is held in a position between a
protruding position and a retracted position. The first side wall
and second side wall can therefore be positioned substantially at
the width of the paper with the roll paper held therebetween. This
position leaves a margin of movement (a range of movement) in the
roll paper urging member in the protruding direction and retracting
direction. A slight gap may, however, be formed between the roll
paper and the first side wall or second side wall and the roll
paper may be allowed to move sideways if there is variation in the
paper width of the roll paper or in the roll paper supply
mechanism, or if shifting occurs when the operator returns the lock
lever. This gap and play can be absorbed, however, by the roll
paper urging member moving and urging the roll paper. Play is
therefore always removed, and a roll paper supply mechanism that
can store the roll paper with pressure applied by a predetermined
urging force can be achieved.
[0032] Other objects and attainments together with a fuller
understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated
by referring to the following description and claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is an external oblique view of a roll paper printer
according to a preferred embodiment of the at least one embodiment
of invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is an external oblique view of the roll paper printer
in FIG. 1 with the cover unit open.
[0035] FIG. 3 describes the internal configuration of the roll
paper printer shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are oblique views showing the roll paper
supply mechanism of the roll paper printer in FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique view of a first side wall of
the roll paper supply mechanism in FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 6A, 6B and FIG. 6C describe the internal structure of
the first side wall of the roll paper supply mechanism in FIG.
4A.
[0039] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B describe the operation of the lock lever
of the roll paper supply mechanism in FIG. 4A.
[0040] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are longitudinal section views of the
delivery roller in the roll paper supply mechanism in FIG. 4A.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] A roll paper printer that has a roll paper supply mechanism
according to the at least one embodiment of invention is described
below with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0042] General Configuration
[0043] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing an inkjet roll paper
printer according to a first embodiment of invention. FIG. 2 is an
oblique view of the same printer with the cover open.
[0044] The roll paper printer 1 has a rectangular box-like case 2
and a cover unit 3 that opens and closes and is disposed to the
front of the case 2. A paper exit 4 of a specific width is formed
at the front of the outside case 2a part of the printer case 2. An
exit guide 5 projects to the front from the bottom of the paper
exit 4, and a cover opening lever 6 is disposed beside the exit
guide 5. A rectangular opening 2b for loading and removing roll
paper is formed in the outside case 2a below the exit guide 5 and
cover opening lever 6, and this opening 2b is closed by the cover
case 3a of the cover unit 3.
[0045] Operating the cover opening lever 6 unlocks the cover unit
3. When the lock is released and the exit guide 5 is pulled
forward, the cover unit 3 pivots at the bottom end part thereof and
opens forward to a substantially horizontal position. When the
cover unit 3 opens, the roll paper compartment 11 of the roll paper
supply mechanism 10 assembled inside the printer become open as
shown in FIG. 2. The paper transportation path from the roll paper
compartment 11 to the paper exit 4 also opens, and the roll paper
can be easily replaced from the front of the printer. Note that the
cover case 3a of the cover unit 3 and the cover opening lever 6 are
not shown in FIG. 2.
[0046] FIG. 3 describes the internal structure of the roll paper
printer 1. The roll paper supply mechanism 10 assembled inside the
roll paper printer 1 has a roll paper compartment 11 disposed in
the middle between the sides of the printer case 2. The roll paper
12 is stored inside the roll paper compartment 11 so that it can
roll horizontally through the printer with the center of the roll
aligned widthwise to the printer. The roll paper 12 is a length of
printing paper 12a (indicated by the bold dot-dash line in FIG. 3)
wound into a roll. The printing paper 12a is pulled off the roll
paper 12 stored in the roll paper compartment 11, travels
diagonally up and around a curved paper guide 14 and then travels
horizontally through the paper transportation path 15 (the same
path as the dot-dash line indicating the printing paper 12a) and
out from the paper exit 4.
[0047] The horizontal portion of the paper transportation path 15
is positioned directly above the roll paper supply mechanism 10.
The inkjet head 18 and platen 19 are disposed to this horizontal
portion of the transportation path opposite each other with a
predetermined gap therebetween, and the platen 19 determines the
printing position 20 of the inkjet head 18.
[0048] An upstream paper feed roller 21 is disposed in the paper
transportation path 15 on the upstream side of the inkjet head 18,
and the upstream paper feed roller 21 is driven by a paper
transportation motor 22. A pressure roller 23 that rotates in
conjunction with the upstream paper feed roller 21 is pressed to
the upstream paper feed roller 21 with the printing paper 12a
therebetween. A downstream paper feed roller 24 that rotates in
synchronization with the upstream paper feed roller 21 is disposed
on the downstream side of the inkjet head 18, and a pressure roller
25 that rotates in conjunction with the downstream paper feed
roller 24 is pressed to the downstream paper feed roller 24 with
the printing paper 12a therebetween. An automatic paper cutter 26
is disposed near the paper exit 4, and horizontally cuts the
leading end part of the printed printing paper 12a to a specific
length.
[0049] The paper guide 14 is mounted movably within a predetermined
range to a printer frame not shown, and is constantly urged by a
spring member 27 in the direction applying tension to the printing
paper 12a. The printing paper 12a conveyed through the paper
transportation path 15 is thus held with constant tension applied
thereto. A guide sensor 28 is disposed near the paper guide 14, and
if slack develops in the printing paper 12a and the paper guide 14
moves in the direction urged by the spring member 27, this movement
of the paper guide 14 is detected by the guide sensor 28.
[0050] The roll paper compartment 11 of the roll paper supply
mechanism 10 has a single delivery roller 30 and a plurality of
guide rollers. In this embodiment of the invention, there are three
guide rollers, specifically first to third guide rollers 31 to 33.
The delivery roller 30 is driven by a delivery motor 34. The three
(first to third) guide rollers 31 to 33 are supported so that they
can rotate freely.
[0051] The drive control unit 35 of the roll paper printer 1 is
connected to a host device such as a computer system not shown, and
controls driving other parts of the roll paper printer 1 based on
commands received from the host. In the printing operation, the
paper transportation motor 22 is driven to rotationally drive the
upstream paper feed roller 21 and the downstream paper feed roller
24, drive the delivery motor 34 of the roll paper supply mechanism
10 rotationally in conjunction with the feed rollers, and thereby
convey the printing paper 12a. The drive control unit 35 also
drives the inkjet head 18 synchronized to printing paper 12a to
print to the surface of the printing paper 12a as the paper passes
the printing position 20. After printing ends, the drive control
unit 35 drives the automatic paper cutter 26 to cut the printing
paper 12a. This results in a receipt or ticket, for example,
obtained by cutting the printing paper 12a to a specific length,
being issued from the paper exit 4.
[0052] Based on detection signals from the guide sensor 28, the
drive control unit 35 controls driving of the delivery roller 30 of
the roll paper supply mechanism 10 synchronized to the upstream
paper feed roller 21 and downstream paper feed roller 24 so that
the printing paper 12a is conveyed with no slack and constant
tension is applied thereto.
[0053] FIG. 4A is an oblique view showing the major parts of the
roll paper supply mechanism 10. The roll paper compartment 11 of
the roll paper supply mechanism 10 has a first side wall 41 and a
second side wall 42 that define the storage width on the left and
right sides. The front end parts of the first side wall 41 and
second side wall 42 can slide along a guide plate 43, which is
attached to a printer frame not shown in line with the storage
width A (the lateral dimension widthwise to the printer). Roller
shafts 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a also extend horizontally in the storage
width direction passing through the front bottom end parts and back
end parts of the first side wall 41 and second side wall 42. The
first side wall 41 and second side wall 42 can slide along these
roller shafts 30a to 33a in the storage width direction.
[0054] The roller shaft 30a is the roller shaft of the delivery
roller 30, and a delivery roller 30 is coaxially attached to the
roller shaft 30a at a position in the middle of the roller shaft
30a in the storage width direction. The ends of the roller shaft
30a are supported freely rotationally by the printer frame not
shown. The three roller shafts 31a to 33a are respectively the
shafts of the first to third guide rollers 31 to 33, and the shaft
ends are supported by the printer frame not shown.
[0055] Bottom portions 41A and 42A of a specific width are formed
at the bottom inside edges of the first side wall 41 and second
side wall 42. The first to third guide rollers 31 to 33 that are
supported freely rotationally coaxially to the roller shafts 31a to
33a are supported on the bottom portions 41A and 42A, and can move
with the first side wall 41 and second side wall 42 in the storage
width direction.
[0056] A lock lever 45 and a roll paper urging member 46 are
assembled in the first side wall 41. The distal end 45a of the lock
lever 45 is exposed at the front top part of the first side wall
41. The lock lever 45 locks the first side wall 41 to the guide
plate 43 so that the first side wall 41 does not move in the
storage width direction. When the distal end 45a is manually
depressed, the lock lever 45 unlocks and the first side wall 41 can
move in the storage width direction. A substantially rectangular
window 41b is formed in the inside surface 41a of the first side
wall 41, and the roll paper urging member 46 protrudes through this
window 41b toward the inside of the roll paper compartment 11.
[0057] The distal end part of the roll paper urging member 46 has a
trapezoidal shape in section, and the roll paper urging member 46
is constantly urged toward the second side wall 42 by an elastic
force. The roll paper urging member 46 can protrude to a protruding
position 46A shown in FIG. 4A, and can be pushed in to a retracted
position where the end face 46a of the roll paper urging member 46
is flush with the surface 41a of the first side wall 41.
[0058] FIG. 4B shows the linking mechanism connecting the first
side wall 41 and second side wall 42. This linking mechanism 50 has
a pinion 51, which is supported freely rotatably at a predetermined
position, and a first rack 52 and second rack 53 that mesh with the
pinion 51 from opposite sides. The first and second racks 52 and 53
extend along the storage width direction, the first rack 52 is
connected to the first side wall 41, and the second rack 53 is
connected to the second side wall 42.
[0059] When the first side wall 41 moves in the storage width
direction, the second side wall 42 moves in conjunction therewith
an equal distance in the opposite direction.
[0060] A different mechanism can be used for this linking
mechanism. Further alternatively, the first side wall 41 may be
movable while the second side wall 42 is stationary, or vice versa.
The positions of the first side wall 41 and second side wall 42 may
also be reversed right and left.
[0061] Lock Lever and Roll Paper Urging Member
[0062] FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique view showing the main parts of
the first side wall 41.
[0063] The first side wall 41 has a main unit 61, a side plate 62
that attaches to the main unit 61, and the lock lever 45 and roll
paper urging member 46 assembled inside the main unit 61.
[0064] The main unit 61 basically includes a side wall part 63 to
which the inside surface 41a is formed, and an outside wall part 64
extending perpendicularly from the outside edge part of the side
wall part 63. The outline of the side plate 62 corresponds to the
outside wall part 64, and the side plate 62 is fastened to the
outside wall part 64 by a screw, for example, not shown.
[0065] FIG. 6A is a side view showing the lock lever 45 and roll
paper urging member 46 assembled to the main unit 61. FIG. 6B and
FIG. 6C are section views through line b-b in FIG. 6A, and
respectively show the roll paper urging member 46 in the protruding
position 46A and the retracted position 46B.
[0066] FIG. 5, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are referred to below.
The lock lever 45 is attached to pivot up and down on a support pin
65, which protrudes perpendicularly from the back side of the side
wall part 63 of the main unit 61. The end of the arm 45b extending
forward from the support pin 65 part of the lock lever 45 curves
upward, forming an operating end part 45a. This operating end part
45a is exposed from an opening 64b formed in the outside wall part
64 of the main unit 61. A locking claw 45d is formed on the end of
the arm 45c extending down and to the back from the support pin 65
part of the lock lever 45.
[0067] The lock lever 45 is constantly urged in the direction of
arrow B in FIG. 6A by a spring member not shown. Notches 43a are
formed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals in
the storage width direction of the roll paper compartment 11 in the
side of the guide plate 43 opposite the locking claw 45d. The lock
lever 45 is held by the force of the spring with the locking claw
45d engaged with one of the notches 43a in a locked position
45A.
[0068] When the operating end part 45a of the lock lever 45 is
manually depressed, the lock lever 45 can pivot on the support pin
65 in the opposite direction as arrow B against the force of the
spring. When the lock lever 45 pivots in the opposite direction as
indicated by arrow B, the locking claw 45d separates from the
notches 43a and the first side wall 41 can be moved in the storage
width direction.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 5, the roll paper urging member 46 has a
long, narrow, rectangular distal end part 46b with a trapezoidal
shape in section, and this distal end part 46b protrudes to the
inside of the roll paper compartment 11 from a window 41b formed in
the side wall part 63 of the main unit 61 (see FIG. 4A). As shown
in FIG. 5, a cylindrical spring receiver 46c is formed on the back
side of the distal end part 46b. A cylindrical spring receiver 62a
is also formed on the side plate 62 at a position opposite the
spring receiver 46c, and a coil spring 66 is held compressed
between the spring receivers 46c and 62a.
[0070] A contact plate 46d that can contact the edge part of the
window 41b in the main unit 61 from the back side is formed on the
roll paper urging member 46. The position where the contact plate
46d touches the edge of the window 41b determines the protruding
position 46A of the roll paper urging member 46.
[0071] A contact plate 67 that protrudes to the back side from the
edge of the window 41b in the main unit 61 is formed at a position
proximal to the contact plate 46d. The position where the contact
plate 67 touches the roll paper urging member 46 determines the
retracted position 46B of the roll paper urging member 46.
[0072] In FIG. 6C the roll paper urging member 46 is shown in the
retracted position 46B, and in this position the end face 46a of
the roll paper urging member 46 is substantially flush with the
surface 41a of the first side wall 41.
[0073] The roll paper urging member 46 can move in the storage
width direction of the roll paper compartment 11 in the range
between the protruding position 46A and retracted position 46B
defined by the contact plates 46d and 67.
[0074] When the lock lever 45 is in the locked position 45A, the
roll paper urging member 46 urges the roll paper 12 toward the
second side wall 42 while moving between the protruding position
46A and retracted position 46B.
[0075] An urging member-side engaging part 46e that protrudes
toward the bottom arm 45c of the lock lever 45 is formed on the
roll paper urging member 46. The distal end part of the urging
member-side engaging part 46e narrows toward the end between left
and right tapered surfaces 46f and 46g. The arm 45c of the lock
lever 45 is disposed on the end of the urging member-side engaging
part 46e. A channel-shaped lever-side engaging part 45e is formed
in the arm 45c of the lock lever 45 as an opening facing the urging
member-side engaging part 46e. Left and right distal ends 45f and
45g in the open side of the lever-side engaging part 45e
respectively face the left and right tapered surfaces 46f and 46g
on the roll paper urging member side.
[0076] Similarly to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are a
side view of the lock lever 45 and roll paper urging member 46
assembled to the main unit 61 and a section view through line b-b
in FIG. 7A, respectively.
[0077] When the operating end part 45a of the lock lever 45 is
manually depressed, the lock lever 45 pivots on the support pin 65,
and the lower arm 45c moves in the direction separating from the
guide plate 43. As a result, the lock lever 45 moves to the
unlocked position 45B where the locking claw 45d on the distal end
of the arm 45c is released from the notches 43a in the guide plate
43. From this position the first side wall 41 can be moved in the
storage width direction of the roll paper compartment 11.
[0078] When the lock lever 45 pivots toward the unlocked position
45B as shown in FIG. 7B, the left and right distal ends 45f and 45g
of the lever-side engaging part 45e of the arm 45c move in the
direction approaching the left and right tapered surfaces 46f and
46g of the urging member-side engaging part 46e of the roll paper
urging member 46.
[0079] FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C show the lock lever 45 held in the
locked position 45A. The operation whereby the lock lever 45 in
FIG. 7B moves from this locked position 45A to the unlocked
position 45B is described next. When the roll paper urging member
46 is protruding in the protruding position 46A shown in FIG. 6B
(the end face 46a of the roll paper urging member 46 is not
touching the roll paper 12) and the lock lever 45 moves to the
unlocked position 45B, the lever-side engaging part 45e of the lock
lever 45 rises, the distal end 45g on the right side of the
lever-side engaging part 45e contacts the right side taper 46g of
the urging member-side engaging part 46e, and moves while pushing
the taper 46g to the left.
[0080] When the roll paper urging member 46 is retracted to the
retracted position 46B shown in FIG. 6C (where the end face 46a of
the roll paper urging member 46 touches the roll paper 12),
however, the left side distal end 45f contacts the left side taper
46f, and moves while pushing the taper 46f to the right.
[0081] Whether the roll paper urging member 46 is in position 46A
or 46B, when the lock lever 45 is depressed to the unlocked
position 45B, the urging member-side engaging part 46e of the roll
paper urging member 46 is inserted to and held in the channel in
the lever-side engaging part 45e of the lock lever 45. The position
of the roll paper urging member 46 at this time in this example is
controlled to a neutral position 46C between the protruding
position 46A and retracted position 46B. The roll paper urging
member 46 may obviously be positioned offset to the left or right
side from this center position.
[0082] The lever-side engaging part 45e and the urging member-side
engaging part 46e in this embodiment of the invention thus form a
holding mechanism that holds the roll paper urging member 46 in a
neutral position 46C. When the lock lever 45 is set to the unlocked
position 45B so that the first side wall 41 can move, the roll
paper urging member 46 is fixed to the first side wall 41. As a
result, the first side wall 41 can be moved to shift the roll paper
12 to the second side wall 42 side without being affected by the
urging force of the roll paper urging member 46, and the first side
wall 41 and second side wall 42 can be adjusted substantially to
the width of the roll paper 12. The lock lever 45 can then be set
to the locked position 45A to lock the first side wall.
[0083] Delivery Roller
[0084] FIGS. 8A and 8B are a longitudinal section views of the
delivery roller 30. The delivery roller 30 is attached to rotate in
unison with the roller shaft 30a. Also attached to the roller shaft
30a are a slide cylinder 30b, left and right snap rings 30c and
30d, and a rubber roller body 30e. The slide cylinder 30b can slide
along the axial direction (storage width direction) of the roller
shaft 30a, and the snap rings 30c and 30d determine the sliding
range of the slide cylinder 30b. The roller body 30e concentrically
surrounds the outside of the slide cylinder 30b. The slide cylinder
30b is also constantly urged toward the first side wall 41 by a
spring member not shown.
[0085] When the delivery roller 30 thus configured is pushed toward
the second side wall 42, the roller body 30e can slide together
with the slide cylinder 30b in the direction of the arrow as shown
in FIG. 8B. This sliding distance L is equal to the distance that
the roll paper urging member 46 moves, that is, the distance from
the protruding position 46A to the retracted position 46B. These
distances may also be different.
[0086] Changing the Storage Width
[0087] The operation whereby the storage width of the roll paper
compartment 11 in the roll paper supply mechanism 10 of the roll
paper printer 1 described above is changed is described below.
[0088] When the roll paper 12 is not loaded and the roll paper
compartment 11 is empty, the lock lever 45 is in the locked
position 45A and the roll paper urging member 46 is in the
protruding position 46A as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The
operating end part 45a of the lock lever 45 exposed from the top
front part of the first side wall 41 is then depressed to move the
lock lever 45 to the unlocked position 45B (FIG. 7B). As a result,
the first side wall 41 can move in the storage width direction.
When the urging member-side engaging part 46e of the roll paper
urging member 46 is then pushed by the lever-side engaging part 45e
of the lock lever 45, the roll paper urging member 46 is pushed
from the protruding position 46A toward the retracted position 46B,
and is held stationary at the neutral position 46C (see FIG.
7B).
[0089] The roll paper 12 is then loaded in the roll paper
compartment 11, the first side wall 41 is moved in the storage
width direction until it stops while depressing the lock lever 45,
and the locking claw 45d of the lock lever 45 is positioned in the
notch 43a of the guide plate 43 appropriate to the width of the
roll paper. As a result, the storage width of the roll paper
compartment 11 is determined by the end face 46a of the roll paper
urging member 46 at the neutral position 46C of the first side wall
41 and by the surface 42a of the opposing second side wall 42.
Because the urging force of the roll paper urging member 46 does
not work at this time, the first side wall 41 can be prevented from
being positioned to a position not matching the width of the roll
paper 12 as a result of the urging force making it feel like the
first side wall 41 met a stop.
[0090] If the lock lever 45 is then released, the lock lever 45
returns to the locked position 45A, thereby preventing further
movement of the first side wall 41. Because the roll paper urging
member 46 is also released from the lock lever 45, the roll paper
urging member 46 is returned toward the protruding position 46A by
the force of the spring.
[0091] The roll paper urging member 46 moves between the protruding
position 46A and retracted position 46B and pushes the roll paper
12 to the second side wall 42 side. Variations in the roll paper
supply mechanism 10 and shifting when the operator returns the lock
lever 45 can result in a slight gap between the roll paper 12 and
the first side wall 41 or second side wall 42. There may also be
variations in the paper width of the roll paper 12 after the
storage width is adjusted.
[0092] When there is a gap and when the paper width is narrow, for
example, the roll paper urging member 46 protrudes from the neutral
position 46C toward the protruding position 46A side and is pressed
with predetermined side pressure against the end of the roll paper
12, thus holding the roll paper 12 with no gap therebetween.
[0093] When the paper is wide, the roll paper urging member 46 is
pushed to the retracted position 46B away from the neutral position
46C by the end of the roll paper 12 so that the roll paper 12 is
again held with predetermined side pressure against the end and the
side pressure is not excessive.
[0094] Gaps between the roll paper 12 and the first side wall 41 or
second side wall 42, and variations in the paper width of the roll
paper 12, are thus absorbed by the margin or range of movement
between the neutral position 46C of the roll paper urging member 46
and the protruding position 46A and retracted position 46B. The
roll paper 12 can therefore be constantly held with a predetermined
side pressure even when the paper width varies by setting the range
of roll paper urging member 46 movement to absorb variations in the
paper width of the roll paper 12. The roll paper 12 can therefore
be prevented from shifting sideways in the storage width direction,
and the roll paper 12 can also be prevented from being held with
excessive side pressure.
[0095] Furthermore, because the end of the printing paper 12a
delivered from the roll paper 12 is always conveyed as being
aligned with the position of the second side wall 42, the printing
position relative to the inkjet head 18 is constant and print
quality can be improved.
[0096] The roller body 30e of the delivery roller 30 can slide in
the storage width direction in this embodiment of the invention. As
a result, the roller body 30e moves with the roll paper 12 when the
roll paper 12 resting on the delivery roller 30 is pushed by the
roll paper urging member 46 and moved toward the second side wall
42 side. The roll paper 12 can be smoothly set. If the roller body
30e does not move, friction between the roll paper 12 and the
roller body 30e acts as side pressure on the roll paper 12, the
side pressure on the roll paper 12 becomes excessive, the
transportation load on the paper feed roller increases, and feeding
the printing paper 12a with the desired precision may not be
possible. And, the roll paper 12 is not set easily. However,
because the roller body 30e of the delivery roller 30 moves in the
storage width direction in this embodiment of the invention, an
increase in side pressure can be suppressed and this increase in
the paper transportation load can be avoided.
[0097] At least one embodiment of invention being thus described.
It will be obvious that it may be varied in many ways. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit
and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended
to be included within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *